61 replies to this topic

[Todd Lamb]

disclaimer: this is not SMAC related

With all the effort that is put into parity between the cars, it seems disjointed to throw all of that out the window when it rains. With the options of rains, intermediates, slicks, bars on or off, etc we end up with huge swings in performance and leaving a lot of the finishing order up to luck in the event of rain.

I think most racers enjoy the close racing we get with "equal" cars, and most do not enjoy the unknown of choosing tires for wet-but-drying or damp-but-raining conditions. Wondering out loud if we should be trying to even the playing field when it rains by mandating either rains or slicks for the entire field? What about swaybars on/off?

[Waterboy]

I like the idea of calling a rain race and requiring the use of a rain tire. I hate those last minute decisions. Sway bar on or off leave open.

[Tom Sager]

There are probably good arguments on both sides of this. I'd lean toward leaving things as they are as the decision would otherwise end up in the hands of a steward and some time requirement and that might not result in the best decision for the field.  

[David L]

I think that the tire choice is nothing more than  prep

[tom1977]

I would not enjoy destroying rain tires due to an official decision. I will prep for the condition on my own dime

[James York]

I would not enjoy destroying rain tires due to an official decision. I will prep for the condition on my own dime

Agree with this thought

[MPR22]

As a practical matter at most races I am not sure the officials could make a decision, disseminate that decision and start the race timely based on the scenario that happened at the Runoffs.

However at the Runoffs since we had a very special race, at night, that could start anytime, I believe they could have pulled the participants together quickly enough to make some announcement. Not sure the decision would have been popular but it would have put us all in same situation.

The mixed tires lead to some very interesting racing in laps 1-9.

[Todd Lamb]

Why would you assume you would destroy rain tires? If it was dry enough you'd run slicks. If it was wet enough you'd run rains.

[Preston Pardus]

For Majors/Runoff races, I like the idea for calling it a rain race but I think you should leave the sway bar on/off decision open.

[FTodaro]

Todd I understand the compulsion to put this PITA decision in someone elses, hands we have all been there and likely all either benefited or suffered from the decision we ended up making. I understand what your though is, lets keep the playing field level so everyone has the same advantage or disadvantage. But I am torn on going this far. If you take this argument to far, then we all will be running the same set up, air pressures and the list goes on. 

 

I am willing to bet that people would be more unhappy if someone else made the wrong decision for them, than if they were the ones that made the wrong decisions. IMO.

[Pat Ross]

I like it the way it is. Yes, we (Mike & Chris) made the wrong choice going with rains. It could have gone the other direction. You pay your money and take your choice.

[Todd Lamb]

Frank - the point being there is no wrong decision if there is no choice. As far as dictating the entire setup, that's not at all what I'm suggesting.

Imagine how exciting Daytona (or June Sprints, etc) would have been if everyone was on the same tires. I don't see SM as a class where tire choice should determine a 5 second differential in lap times at the end of a race. It goes against the point of having a spec class.

[James York]

.... It goes against the point of having a spec class.

It is not a spec class no matter what we call it or pretend it to be.

[Todd Lamb]

By that logic why even have spec tires?

[DrDomm]

As soon as I turned the broadcast on and saw the wet track, I knew we were in for a crap shoot (based on tire choice).  That's not what THIS class is supposed to be.

[James York]

By that logic why even have spec tires?

Really I don't know, other than it is the rules and has been ever since going national with Toyo (costs savings to drivers maybe).  When we had Toyo's did we have a spec shave?  No.

 

Racing has always been somewhat influenced by luck and good fortune.  

 

Just my opinion since the thread was opened.  I would never want a race steward deciding what tire I should race.

 

If the rules change, I either comply or race elsewhere, that's the way I've been doing it since 2003 anyway.  We had had 1000s of SM races, and now we think this is an issue?

[LarryKing]

Why should THIS class be any different than any other SCCA class. Don't ALL classes face a wet/dry tire decision from time to time?

[Waterboy]

Doesn't srf call a rain race?

[Brandon]

Why would you assume you would destroy rain tires? If it was dry enough you'd run slicks. If it was wet enough you'd run rains.

 

My guess is if the official makes the "wrong" decision we end up either destroying a set of wets or repairing a lot of cars by running on slicks.

This would result in destroying equipment/consumables on someone else's decision.

 

This, IMO, would be the stumbling block the CRB would have in approving such a change by designating an official to call the spec tire for any particular race.

 

And we're "spec" as much as you're still allowed to run on the bumpstops, with as much positive camber, or as much toe out on the rear however slow these setup decisions might be.

[Brandon]

By the by - it would have been equally fortuitous had the rain NOT held off and those who went out on slicks looked more the fools at the end than those on wets.